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Researched by Kevin B.
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Research Summary
The United States Air Force is a branch of the U.S. military.
They fly planes, repair planes, and work in offices. They have to
know planes. It is the crew chief’s job to keep planes, pilots, and
airman in the air. It used to be called the Army Air Force until
it was changed to the Air Force in 1947.
History
The United States bought their first plane from Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1909. In 1914, World War I broke out in Europe. The U.S. Army owned only five planes, while Germany owned 250 planes. Germany also had submarines that fired torpedoes at ships. France had 8-millimeter Hotchkiss guns. They are machine guns that made the war more deadly. World War I aviation started just by other countries spying on other countries. Later in the war, people started trying to shoot down planes with revolver guns.
World War II started in 1935 and ended in 1945. World War II killed
more people than any other war in history. Japan attacked some of
the military bases at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii using planes. That brought
the U.S. into the war. Before the Air Force was started, it was called
the Army Air Force. The Congress had created the Army Air Force in
1941. Then Congress created the United States Air Force in 1947.
Responsibilities
Air Force fighter pilots are responsible for flying planes in combat
and for training. Some fly bombers or stealth fighters. They
only fire bombs or missiles when they are ordered to. They have to
protect the U.S. against other militaries and terrorists.
What Do They Do
Officers usually start as second lieutenants. Most officers go
through Air Force R.O.T.C. classes. They usually attend R.O.T.C classes
while attending a college or a university. Recruiters help people
find jobs in the military.
Education/Training
All applicants must have a social security card and birth certificate.
Some helpful high school and college classes are math, science, foreign
languages, geography, civics, or government.
Earnings/Outlook
The earnings depend on the rank and where you are in the Air Force.
The average pay for new recruits starts at $1,000. For the end of
the first 4-year tour of duty, they can make as much as $16,550 a year.
Officers that reach the same 4-year milestone may get $39,300. Recruiters
think that more people will join the Air Force. If more people join
the Air Force, our military would be better and stronger.
Types of Planes
There are three kinds of planes the Air Force uses: transport aircraft,
bombers, and stealth fighters. Stealth fighters are difficult to
detect by radar. The black material and shape bounces the signal
back to or away from the sender. Bombers carry a combination of bombs
and guided missiles. They can hold 4-6 people. Transport aircraft
carry troops and cargo. It can hold the pilot, navigator, flight
engineer, and copilot. They also use helicopters for transporting
injured people away from danger or combat.
Air Force Bases
Many Air Force members live in rooms or apartments on Air Force bases,
while others live in houses by bases. There are many Air Force bases
worldwide.
Good Aspects
The good things about the Air Force are they pay for your college and
you do not need a high college degree. They give you good pay and
you meet new friends. You also get to have the responsibility to
defend our country.
Bad Aspects
The bad things about the Air Force are you have to travel a lot and
have to be away from your family. If you go into war, your chances
of dying increase.
Best Websites
The best website I went to was www.airforce.com. It gave me a lot of information.
Airman Ranks
Pay Grade
Rank
E-9 Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
E-9 Command Chief Master Sergeant
E-9 Chief Master Sergeant
E-8 Senior Master Sergeant
E-7 Master Sergeant
E-6 Technical Sergeant
E-5 Staff Sergeant
E-4 Senior Airman
E-3 Airman First Class
E-2 Airman
E-1 Airman Basic
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